Schokolade
chocolate
Used as an indeclinable adjective to describe the flavor of chocolate. Often used when naming varieties or flavors.
EXAMPLE
Ich hätte gern ein Eis, die Sorte Schokolade bitte.
I'd like an ice cream, chocolate flavor please.
die Schokolade
chocolate
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Meanings
Schokolade
chocolate
Used as an indeclinable adjective to describe the dark brown color of chocolate.
EXAMPLE
Die Wandfarbe ist ein warmer Braunton, fast Schokolade.
The wall color is a warm shade of brown, almost chocolate.
Usage tips
Noun as adjective
In this use, the noun 'die Schokolade' (chocolate) is placed like an adjective before another noun to specify its flavor or color. The word 'Schokolade' always remains unchanged and is not declined.
EXAMPLE
Ich esse am liebsten den Kuchen mit Schokolade-Glasur.
I like cake with chocolate glaze best.
A common pattern
This pattern—using a noun as an invariable adjective for flavor or color—is very common in German. It also works with other words such as 'Vanille' (vanilla), 'Zitrone' (lemon), or 'Orange' (orange).
EXAMPLE
Im Sommer trinke ich gern Wasser mit Zitrone-Geschmack.
In summer, I like drinking water with lemon flavor.
Context clue
Whether flavor or color is meant is revealed by the noun that follows. If 'Schokolade' (chocolate) comes before foods like 'Eis' (ice cream), 'Pudding' (pudding), or 'Kuchen' (cake), it is about flavor. If it comes before things like 'Farbe' (color/paint), 'Stoff' (fabric), or 'Auto' (car), the color is meant.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Schokolade-Pudding schmeckt himmlisch.
This chocolate pudding tastes heavenly.
Compare with
Schokolade vs Kakao
cocoa
Kakao refers, in the meanings given, to a drink that is usually served warm. The accepted meanings of Schokolade, by contrast, mention no drink, only a flavor or color description. So Kakao is the appropriate word when ordering the warm drink; according to the meanings given, Schokolade cannot be used interchangeably here.
Schokolade
Auf der Karte steht Schokolade als Geschmacksangabe für das Dessert.
The menu lists chocolate as a flavor description for the dessert.
Kakao
An kalten Tagen bestelle ich im Café einen warmen Kakao.
On cold days, I order a hot chocolate at the café.
In real life
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